Abstract

Cuts to hands and fingers account for almost 30% of all accidents in the metal and electrical products fabrication sector. The joint sectoral association therefore asked the IRSST to help it select, or, if necessary, design protective gloves that best resist perforation while allowing workers to perform tasks requiring dexterity and fine manipulations. The project was conducted in a typical factory, chosen for its well-documented history of lacerations and its willingness to participate in the project. Testing revealed that no currently available gloves are well suited to workers in this sector. The combination of researchers' expertise, workers' collaboration, and a manufacturer's practical knowledge resulted in the production of a new glove that not only meets resistance, laceration, and dexterity criteria, but is also very comfortable. Now commercially available, the glove is also used by workers in other companies, especially those involved in the manufacture of mirrors and windows.